Hamburg Town Board says industrial park not the place for small sports facility

The owner of a company in a Hamburg industrial park has refused to withdraw a plan for a small sports facility, so the Town Board is requiring a lengthy environmental study before the project can move forward.

"I still want to make the project work for him, but not in that location," Councilman Tom Best Jr. said.

Neighbors had raised concerns over the plan to build a 13,000-square-foot sports facility on Jeffrey Boulevard next to K-Technologies, and Town Board members were not thrilled with the plan, either. The project needs a rezoning from manufacturing to park/recreation to go forward.

Jeff L. Kryszak, president and CEO of K-Technologies, had asked for a one-year delay on the rezoning necessary for the project, while he pursued an “urgent business opportunity” at the same location. He's planning an expansion of his business there.

But there was no provision in town law to put the rezoning request on hold, and the Town Board told Kryszak he should withdraw the request, since it was planning to rule the project could pose significant adverse environmental impacts, and require him to complete a lengthy environmental impact statement before voting on the rezoning.

That's what the board did, after Kryszak refused to withdraw the project.

In requiring the environmental study, the board also said it does not foresee rezoning the property because the application is not in conformance with the town’s comprehensive plan and the vision of the community for this area. There is no time requirement for him to complete the environmental study.

Neighbors living off Bayview Road oppose the plan for indoor volleyball courts, which also could be used for other sports, and a concession stand that would sell alcohol. They also were concerned about increased traffic and noise from the property, which has exterior volleyball courts now.